By Afshain Afzal

Today on 23rd March 2025, when Pakistan is celebrating “Pakistan Day” and we look forward for a bright future of this Islamic State, the media if full of incidents of terrorism, insecurity and grand military operations throughout the country. Beside other news, MQM leader Altaf Hussain strongly criticized arrest of human rights activist Mahrang Baloch by authorities and termed it as “direct violation of human rights and infringement on freedom guaranteed by the constitution”. There should be no doubt that why this statement has been given and what are the objectives.

A day earlier, Saturday, 22^nd March 2025 witnessed killing of four labourers from Punjab in Malangzai area of Mangochar city in Balochistan’s Kalat district while four policemen were also gunned down in in the Gharibabad of Noshki district on the same day. Post terrorist act, statements were issued by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfrraz Bugti and many others condemning brutal killing and called for effective action against terrorist elements to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.

The immediate outcome of the killing was that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) reviewed Security Services Framework Agreement between the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) and the Government of Pakistan, as well as an MoU signed between RDMC and the Frontier Corps Balochistan, sanctioned Pak Rupees 1.79 billion for security measures amid growing concerns over the law and order situation in Balochistan. In addition, Director General of Balochistan Levies Force, Abdul Ghaffar Magsi confirmed that the Balochistan government is establishing a counter-terrorism wing of the Balochistan Levies Force to enable the security force to face all challenges relating to acts terrorism. The apparent bottom lines there are attempts to exclude ”Baloch” and “Punjabis” from Balochistan province by dubbing the former as security risk and later under security threat.

Earlier, on 31 January 2025, 18 security personnel were killed in Mangocher area of Kalat District while on 18 February 2025, media reports claimed gunman blocked the road in Barkhan district of Balochistan, stopped a bus and took off passengers after checking their Punjabi origin, lined up and killed seven Punjabi passengers. On 11 March 2025, terrorists hijacked Jaffar Express train in Bolan district and put blame on Baloch nationalists including Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) who categorically denied any involvement. The Indian handlers and their agents in Pakistan continued beating the drums that BLA while accusing Pakistan Army of resorting to lies to cover up defeat, announced successful completion of two phase ‘Operation Dar-e-Bolan’ in which 354 security personnel were killed, over 100 injured and 214 personnel were taken as hostage. It is strange that in Jaffar Express hijacking the terrorists divided the passengers in groups comprising of Punjabis, Saraikis, Sindhis, Baloch while separate group of Army and FC personnel were made to killed selected passengers.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfrraz Bugti has invented a unique scientific method of disposing off dead bodies of suspected or hardcore terrorists, although to me, and many others it seems insult to human beings. To him there are two options available with the authorities; first to leave the dead bodies at the site of operation where they were killed but it was their responsibility under the law to bring back the dead bodies and get their DNA tested so that it is known who were those who were fighting against state of Pakistan. If those killed could not be identified we conduct their DNA tests and through an Edhi (NGO) those who are unrecognizable are lawfully buried. Government position is that if we leave the dead bodies at the site of encounter, it will further increase the numbers in list of missing persons. No matter if bring them (dead bodies) or we do not bring there is an issue. The constitution of Pakistan does not allow to glorify terrorists so lawfully we gave dead bodies which could not be recognized to Edhi; they buried them after getting them DNA tested and put a plate on the grave and if some one is interested he can match the DNA and either let the dead body remain buried there or take the dead body temporarily buried there to burry somewhere else. We will continue it as policy.

If we recall, former Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Naizi, announced the successful agreement with the Canadian firm for the development of the Reko Diq mine in Balochistan, he tweeted, "I congratulate the nation and people of Balochistan on successful agreement with Barrick Gold for development of Reko Diq mine," where Barrick Gold owns a 50% stake in the Reko Diq mine and the governments of Pakistan and the province of Balochistan own the other 50%. In December 2022, the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 13 pages judgment over Presidential reference declared the agreement as "legal". The Court declared, “As per the Riko Diq agreement, most workers will be Pakistanis. This is not for a single person but for Pakistan”. The Court ruled that the constitution does not allow legislation against national assets, and the provinces can make changes in the laws related to minerals. The point cannot be neglected that the agreement was inked between the federal and provincial governments but Balochistan Assembly was taken into confidence. Article 172 of the Constitution of Pakistan provides, “(1) Any property which has no rightful owner shall, if located in a Province, vest in the Government of that Province, and in every other case, in the Federal Government,” and “ (3) Subject to the existing commitments and obligations, mineral oil and natural gas within the Province or the territorial waters adjacent thereto shall vest jointly and equally in that Province and the Federal Government.” Although, Article 172 (3) also require review but no one should have doubt that oil and natural gas are not classified as minerals.

We must understand that each state must remain empowered to fight terrorism in accordance with the rule of law and human rights but they must also respect the prohibition on the use of force as strictly interpreted by the International Court of Justice. Beside fake news by enemies, adversaries and self-interest holders within state machinery, reaction in the shape of operations often crosses civilized nations. One wonder we have a precedent of 9 May terrorism cum mutiny against the state but why military operations were not launched in posh areas of Federal capital and provinces? Whey rule and policy of glorification of terrorists do not apply against this nobility? And why only religious factions and hardcore true nationalists of Pakistan who demand implementation of the Constitution are criticized and targeted? It is high time that State authorities, International community including UNO and human right organizations must reject traditional propaganda and assist Pakistan to track the real terrorists and protect the victims including Baloch, Tribals, religious minded nationals and security personnel who are only performing their duties.